We did a little social at our last Monday class with coffee and Christmasy biscuits. I also made these Ojas bars, which were a total hit. It’s a recipe from one of my favourite Ayurveda cookbook authors, Kate O’Donnell. And, as the recipe was in big demand, here it is.

With their nutty and chocolaty goodness, these bars are whipped up in no time, making you feel like a pro.

Ingredients for Your Chocolate Ojas Bars:

Pecans

Qualities: Hot, oily, difficult, and heavy, with a sweet taste.
Pecans are a powerhouse of over 19 vitamins and minerals, including vitamins E and A, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, several B vitamins, and zinc—ensuring you get a healthy dose with every bite.
High in proteins and unsaturated fats, they help lower cholesterol.
Dosha effects: Pecans aggravate Pitta and Kapha and balance Vata.

Almonds

Qualities: Heavy, oily, cool, and sweet.
Nourishing and soothing, almonds are excellent for calming the nerves and brain.
Dosha effects: They aggravate Kapha and balance Vata and Pitta.

Coconut Oil

Did you know coconut is a sattvic fruit? Yes, it’s technically a fruit, not a nut! It’s a drupe, a fruit with soft flesh surrounded by a hard shell.
Sattvic foods do not aggravate the mind; coconut’s qualities are oily, heavy, cold, and sweet.
Coconut balances Vata and Pitta but can aggravate Kapha.
Coconut is nourishing and considered a rasayana in Ayurveda, an anti-ageing substance that’s great for hair, skin, and digestion.

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Ayurvedic Spices in Your Dessert:

Cinnamon: Sweet, warming, and pungent. Cinnamon improves circulation, soothes coughs and colds, and aids sugar digestion. Perfect for cakes and cookies.
Cardamom: Warming with a sweet and pungent taste. It calms the nerves, supports digestion, and refreshes breath. Cardamom also helps metabolise proteins and clears mucus from the lungs.
Ginger: Fantastic for digestion, especially for nausea and indigestion. It’s anti-inflammatory and an Ayurveda staple. Fun fact: dried ginger is more heating than fresh ginger.
Nutmeg: Calms the mind, induces sleep, and boosts nutrient absorption in the large intestine. Use sparingly as it has a strong taste.
Cacao: Has a calming and mood-lifting effect on us. It warms our heart and abdomen. Cacao influences our nervous system and regulates the release of stress hormones. It equally balances the release of our feel-good hormones, dopamine and serotonin.
Maple syrup: Nourishes the body and digests slower than other sweeteners, so it won’t create a sugar rush. It’s a favourite of Ayurveda.

All these ingredients are loaded with goodness you can enjoy guilt-free. Remember, while these bars are healthy, they are rich, so one piece might do the trick!

Step-by-Step Recipe for Chocolate Ojas Bars

Base Layer:

1 cup pecans (or substitute with pistachios, hazelnuts or walnuts)
½ cup almonds (use blanched ones; almond skin is heating)
4 dates
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
A pinch of salt
½ tsp total of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg

Optional spice mix: Combine 2 tbsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp ginger, 2 tbsp cardamom, and ½ tsp nutmeg. This blend also works well in hot milk, porridge, cookies, or cakes.

Chocolate Layer:

½ cup coconut oil, melted
½ cup cacao powder
3 tbsp maple syrup
Optional toppings: toasted coconut flakes, almond flakes, or dried cranberries

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredients for the base layer in a food processor until they come together.
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and press the mixture evenly into the pan.
For the chocolate layer, melt the coconut oil and whisk in the cacao powder and maple syrup until smooth.
Pour the chocolate mixture over the base layer and spread evenly.
Add your chosen toppings. If using cranberries, place the pan in the freezer for 5 minutes before adding them so they don’t sink.
Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour until set.

These bars are best stored in the fridge as the chocolate will melt if out for too long. They make a super yummy dessert and a thoughtful gift for the holiday season.

Final Thoughts

These Chocolate Layered Ojas Bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a little slice of nourishment and joy.

Their wholesome ingredients and supporting spices are perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying as a quiet treat with your favourite cup of tea.

If you make these, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Did you try a different spice mix or topping? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram. Happy no-baking 😊

Resources

O’Donnell Kate, everyday ayurveda cooking for a calm, clear mind, Shambhala Publications, Inc, Boulder, Colorado, USA

Now I’d love to hear from you: If you make these, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Did you try a different spice mix or topping? Let me know in the comments, or tag me on Instagram.

Let’s start a conversation. Leave a message on Instagram, Facebook, or even an old email OR comment below :)

I love hearing from you!

Katja x

P.S. Yummy, healthy treats are, of course, part of healthy eating habits :)